Comprehensive Condition Assessment and Evaluation for Sewer & Drainage Infrastructure. Civica performs all field inspections in-house to ensure consistent quality, accurate data collection, and reliable reporting for our clients
A sewer condition assessment involves a series of detailed investigations to uncover defects, performance issues, and potential risks within sewer systems. These assessments allow owners and operators to:
At Civica, condition assessment integrates multiple inspection programs to give you a full understanding of system health and operational behaviour.
A comprehensive condition assessment follows a methodical process:
Preliminary Planning & Review
We start by reviewing system history, design plans, past inspection data, and project objectives.
Field Investigation Programs
Our team executes inspection programs tailored to your system, including CCTV, smoke testing sewer connections, dye testing sewer connections, and Maintenance Hole Inspections.
Data Collection & Analysis
Visual data, flow behaviour, and defect findings are compiled using industry standards (such as PACP/MACP) and reviewed by engineers.
Reporting & Recommendations
Results are delivered in actionable reports outlining condition scores, defect classification, and recommended next steps — including rehabilitation strategies and prioritized maintenance plans.
Integration with Asset Planning
Assessment results inform asset management models, capital planning, budgeting, and compliance frameworks.
This systematic approach gives stakeholders clarity on condition and helps them make data-driven decisions for infrastructure investment and risk mitigation.
Our CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) sewer inspections use advanced remotely controlled video cameras to visually evaluate sewer lines and collect detailed footage of internal conditions. This method reveals structural defects, cracks, root intrusion, joint offsets, and other issues that affect performance and longevity. Videos are reviewed by our engineering team for comprehensive interpretation and reporting.
Maintenance holes (also known as manholes) are critical access points for sewer networks. Their integrity is essential to overall system performance. Civica conducts thorough inspections of MHs to assess structural condition, water infiltration, sediment buildup, and component wear. This supports accurate condition scoring and prioritization of maintenance.
Smoke testing is used to locate unauthorized connections, cross-connections, and sources of inflow. Non-toxic smoke is introduced into sewers to reveal pathways where stormwater or surface water improperly enters the sanitary system. This technique helps identify hidden defects that contribute to inflow and infiltration, a common challenge in older systems.
Dye testing is a field technique involving the introduction of non-toxic colored dye into drainage or storm systems. When dye appears in the sanitary sewer, it confirms a hydraulic connection — indicating a defect or illicit connection. This provides clear evidence for targeted remediation.
Beyond standard programs, Civica’s sewer diagnostics include wet weather inspection methods designed to identify how systems behave during high flow events — such as rainfall or snowmelt. These insights are critical to understanding real-world performance and risk under stress conditions, helping utilities plan effective interventions.
Explore how our inflow and infiltration solutions have been applied across real municipal and development projects.
Early warning signs may include:
